Family Law

Child Custody Mediation

Posted on March 8 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Child custody mediation provides an opportunity for you and the other parent to discuss what is best for your child without attorneys present. It is a time reserved for working out an ideal schedule for both the parents and the child.

Here are four don’ts for mediating a custody dispute:

Don’t neglect the needs of your child;
Don’t assume one parenting plan works for all children;
Don’t go to mediation without a plan; and
Don’t denigrate the other parent.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, child support, divorce, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). To speak with an experienced child custody attorney, contact Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Shared Custody of Infants

Posted on February 13 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Studies show that infants are best able to create healthy relationships with both parents when they spend regular time with each. This means that both parents should go no longer than a few days without seeing the child.

There should be daily communication regarding the child’s eating and sleeping patterns, medical developments, as well as any noteworthy milestones. If there is a high level of conflict between you and the other parent, consider keeping track of these updates in a notebook, which you may pass back and forth during exchanges.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law: child custody, child support, divorce, and Protection From Abuse (PFA). If your ex is denying you regular and frequent contact with your infant child, call Spivak Law Firm today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA and Criminal Charges

Posted on February 6 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If you’ve been accused of perpetrating domestic violence or child abuse, you may be facing a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order and criminal charges such as assault, harassment, stalking, or terroristic threats.

At Spivak Law Firm, we generally advise our clients to continue the PFA hearing until after the criminal case is resolved. The district attorney could use the PFA hearing transcript against you in criminal court.

Based in Pittsburgh, Spivak Law Firm provides strong, aggressive representation for clients in Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Indiana County, Greene County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County.

If you face a PFA or criminal domestic-violence charges, call Spivak Law Firm to schedule a free consultation at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Attorney Spivak Honored By Super Lawyers

Posted on February 5 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Todd Spivak, attorney and owner of Spivak Law Firm, has been selected to the 2017 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list.

Super Lawyers reserves this honor “for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice.”

Only 5 percent of attorneys in Pennsylvania receive this distinction.

Attorney Spivak will be featured in Super Lawyers Magazine, Pittsburgh Magazine, and Philadelphia Magazine, reaching more than one million readers.

A former investigative reporter, Attorney Spivak has won numerous national awards and was twice-nominated for The Pulitzer Prize.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Attorney Spivak focuses his practice on all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on Protection From Abuse (PFA) and child custody.

To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Shield Children From Custody Disputes

Posted on January 30 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Tensions often run high in child custody litigation. But you should not involve your children in the dispute.

Although it may be trying at times, you should not speak ill of the other parent in front of the children, as a judge may sanction you for turning your child against the other parent.

Be aware of what you say around your children, whether they are in another room or even sleeping.

Attempts to turn the children against the other parent are strictly discouraged, with the exception of cases involving domestic violence for the protection of the children.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: child custody, child support, divorce, Protection From Abuse, and Children Youth and Families (CYF). To speak with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Custody & Domestic Abuse

Posted on January 23 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

In some extreme cases, mothers seeking to protect their children from abusive fathers are disbelieved by the courts and even sanctioned for parental alienation.

Such outlier cases form the basis of a recently released documentary by filmmaker Rachel Lewis, who spotlights the issue of mothers who have lost custody of their children to abusive fathers. The film warns that violent men can use the court system to further control and intimidate their exes by asserting their child custody rights.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law with a special focus on high-conflict child custody and domestic violence. Call us at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

PFA: Help for Victims

Posted on January 4 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Under current federal law, domestic-violence victims risk eviction from public housing for making excessive calls to 9-1-1.

Spivak Law Firm supports amending the Fair Housing Act to safeguard such victims from being punished for simply seeking police protections.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status.

Spivak Law Firm routinely represents plaintiffs and defendants in Protection from Abuse (PFA) matters in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County. Call us today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Preparing for Divorce

Posted on January 3 2017 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

If you are considering a divorce, it is important to have an understanding of your finances before initiating the proceedings.

Without this information, your attorney may have to engage in a costly discovery process to obtain the documents. Having copies of tax returns, utility bills, grocery bills, retirement accounts, bank accounts, and other financial documents could save you a substantial amount of money in attorney’s fees.

Take the time to review your financial documents and understand your marital assets and debts with the help of your attorney.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and PFA hearings. To speak with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Divorce Waiting Period Reduced

Posted on December 30 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

The Pennsylvania State Senate recently passed an amendment reducing the separation period for no-fault divorces to one year. Prior to this amendment, if your spouse would not consent to a divorce, you had to wait a period of two years before requesting a final decree.

Once Governor Wolf signs the bill, the reduced waiting period will take effect within 60 days. However, the reduced waiting period will only apply to divorces filed after the effective date of the law. It is not retroactive.

If your spouse will not consent to a divorce, and you have not yet filed, you may consider postponing filing until the law goes into effect.

Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings. To speak with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Divorce: Who Gets The House?

Posted on December 28 2016 by Todd Spivak and Rebecca Canterbury

Will I lose the house in the divorce if I move out?

Under Pennsylvania law, the marital residence is subject to division if it is considered marital property, which is defined as property acquired during the marriage and before final separation.

If your ex moves out at separation, you likely stand a better chance of staying in the home; however, you may later have to pay your ex a share of the home’s equity value.

Keep in mind that even if you acquired the house before marriage, your ex will share in any increases or decreases in the value of the property.